§ Dr. John Dunwoodyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the working group, announced by the former Minister of Health on 25th July last, has reported yet; and whether its report will be discussed with the profession.
§ Mr. CrossmanThe Working Party on the Responsibilities of the Consultant Grade reported earlier this year to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, and to me. Copies of the report are being distributed widely to members of the profession but it cannot be on sale in the Government Bookshops or elsewhere until the industrial dispute preventing its publication is ended. The Health Departments and the profession are agreed that discussions should begin as soon as possible on the basis not only of this report but also of the report of a subcommittee appointed by the profession to consider the hospital staffing structure. Neither the Health Departments nor the profession are committed to any of the recommendations made in the Working Party's report.